Body pad

ABSTRACT

A pad, such as a knee pad or other body-worn pad, that avoids undue accumulation of heat within the pad, and that provides a stable and comfortable resting surface for at least a portion of a user&#39;s body. The pad may further provide decreasing incremental compression in response to incrementally increasing loads, whereby users of different weights may comfortably be supported thereon.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Utility application Ser. No.12/387,758 filed on May 6, 2009 currently pending the contents of whichis hereby incorporated by reference, which in turn claimed priority toU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/050,968 filed on May 6, 2008,presently abandoned, the contents of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to body-worn protectiveequipment, and, more particularly, to knee pads or the like forcushioning a wearer's body from forces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various activities, such as many occupational activities, recreationalactivities, or the like, involve kneeling for some duration of time. Asis well known, prolonged periods of continuous kneeling and/or frequentassumption of a kneeling position can cause or contribute to thedevelopment or onset of knee damage or injury. For example, bruising,tendon strain, cartilage damage, bursitis, and even osteoarthritis canresult or be exacerbated by such activities. Accordingly, knee pads havebeen developed and implemented in attempts to reduce the damage anddiscomfort caused by kneeling to perform such activities. For example,fabric knee pads have been designed to wrap around a user's knee.Additionally, cupped knee pads have been used in an effort to providebetter support for the user's knee.

Unfortunately, however, such knee pads have suffered from a number ofdisadvantageous performance characteristics. Particularly, the knee padsinclude simple cushion material, such as foam or fabric batting. Suchmaterial exhibits varying levels of cushion for different user's,particularly based on the user's weight. Since the pads are all madewith substantially the same amount of padding material, most users findthat the cushioning provided is either too great, wherein the pad is notstable, or the cushioning provided is too little, wherein the userexperiences discomfort. Additionally, and especially where a conformingcup is provided, the padding functions as a thermal insulator, wherebythe user's knee may become hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable, and wherebythe knee pad may experience premature wear and/or may become excessivelysoiled. Furthermore, conventional cushion materials are directionallyunbiased, whereby in addition to compressing in a desired direction, thecushion may also shear or deform in directions other than the desireddirection. Such off-axis compression or deformation causes unsteadiness,which can sap a wearer's energy due to the constant need to shiftposition or weight to maintain or regain balance.

Thus, it is clear that there is an unmet need for a pad that providesbeneficial cushioning levels to facilitate user comfort, that preventsundue heat accumulation or retention, and that provides stability.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in an exemplary embodiment, the pad of the presentdisclosure overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets therecognized need for such a device by providing a knee pad having aplurality of resilient mounds dispersed about an interior surfaceproximate a durable cap.

More specifically, the pad, such as in the form of a knee pad,preferably includes a resilient member comprising a substantially thinplanar member having two generally opposing major surfaces and aplurality of mounds formed on a first of the major surfaces. The moundsare preferably formed having a substantially hemispherical surfaceintersecting said first surface proximate an equator of thehemispherical surface. The mounds are further preferably arranged in anarray having at least two columns and at least two rows, wherein theplanar member includes a space between adjacent mounds.

The resilient material is preferably formed of a polymer gel, or othersuitable material, whereby the mounds may preferably deform, at leastpartially, in a compression direction, i.e. in a direction perpendicularto the generally planar surface, in response to a force applied thereto,while resisting such a force, such as a force imparted to the moundswhen a user rests thereon. Thus, the resilient mounds preferably cushiona portion of a user's body disposed thereagainst, especially whenbearing the user's weight. The resilient material and/or thesubstantially hemispherical shape of the mounds preferably provide(s) anincreasing resistance force and preferably deform to a greater extent inresponse to an increasing load applied thereto. Accordingly, the moundspreferably accommodate users of different weight, and provide sufficientcushioning to comfort a user resting thereon.

Additionally, the selective arrangement of the rows of mounds preferablyprovides stability to a user resting thereon. For example, two rows maybe arranged generally proximate and on opposite sides of a longitudinalaxis of the pad. Thus, when a user places a portion of their bodygenerally centrally on the pad, the rows preferably straddle the portionof the user's body and resist lateral movement of the user's bodyrelative to the pad. Such resistance of lateral movement is preferablyprovided by mounds of each row generally retaining the user's body, orat least the portion thereof, partially between adjacent mounds of eachrow. Furthermore, the resilient material and/or the substantiallyhemispherical shape of the mounds preferably provide(s) a resistanceforce to oppose lateral or shear forces. Such lateral or shearresistance force may preferably result in less lateral deformation thana compression deformation exhibited in response to an equal force in thecompression direction.

Such arrangement of two rows or mounds preferably further provides aplurality of fluid channels formed between the mounds. That is to say, afluid channel is preferably formed generally along the longitudinal axisbetween the rows, and a plurality of transverse fluid channels arepreferably formed generally between adjacent ones of the mounds withineach row. Thus, fluid, such as air, may circulate through the padbetween the generally planar member and the portion of the user's bodydisposed against one or more mound(s).

Accordingly, one feature and advantage of the pad of the presentdisclosure is its ability to provide cushioning substantiallyproportionate to a force applied thereto, whereby relatively smallerforces are cushioned by partial deformation of a resilient material, andwhereby incremental increases in a force applied to the resilientmaterial result in sequentially smaller amounts of additionaldeformation.

Another feature and advantage of the pad of the present disclosure isits ability to securely cushion a portion of a user's body by resistanceof lateral forces and/or via at least partially cupping the portion ofthe user's body.

Yet another feature and advantage of the pad of the present disclosureis its ability to resist or prevent accumulation of excess thermalenergy, whereby discomfort associated with heat and/or sweating may beavoided.

These and other features and advantages of the pad of the presentdisclosure will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in theart after reading the following Detailed Description of the Inventionand Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Accordingly, the present disclosure will be understood best throughconsideration of, and with reference to, the following drawings, viewedin conjunction with the Detailed Description of the Invention referringthereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various drawingsdesignate like structure, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary pad according to thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side exploded view of the pad of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the pad of FIGS. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a resilient member of the pad of FIG. 1.

It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely forthe purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neitherdesired nor intended to limit the scope of the disclosure to any or allof the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they maybe deemed essential to the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In describing exemplary embodiments of the pad of the present disclosureillustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for thesake of clarity. The claimed invention, however, is not intended to belimited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to beunderstood that each specific element includes all technical equivalentsthat operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

In that form of the pad of the present disclosure chosen for purposes ofillustration, FIGS. 1-4 show pad 100 in the form of a knee pad for usein kneeling including durable cap 110, casing 120, resilient member 130,and fabric member 140. Durable cap 110 is preferably adapted to contacta floor or ground surface and is, therefore, preferably selected from aslip resistant, non-marring, and durable material whereby cap 110 mayrepeatedly contact and securely engage the floor or ground surfacewithout damaging the cap or the floor or ground surface. Especially whendesigned for outdoor use, cap 110 preferably resists scratching, evenwhen used on abrasive surfaces, such as stone, brick, cement, or thelike. Cap 110 may preferably include tread pattern T formed over forwardsurface 111 to provide suitable grip. Tread pattern T may include one ormore grove(s) 113 and/or aperture(s) 115 as desired to provide grip onone or more selected surface(s). Cap 110 is preferably operable withcasing 120 to define recess 121 proximate rearward surface 117 of cap110 and within sidewall 123 of casing 120. Resilient member 130 ispreferably disposed within recess 121 such that two or more mounds 133formed over face 131 a of generally thin planar member 131 extend awayfrom cap 110. Thus, mounds 133 preferably face fabric member 140disposed over an open portion of recess 121. Cap 110, casing 120 and/orresilient member 130 may be joined via rivets, stitching, welding, orother suitable fastener or fastening technique, as desired.

Fabric member 140 is preferably formed from a comfortable and durablefabric material, such as a woven natural or synthetic fiber and may bejoined to casing 120 such that fabric member 140 is suspended overrecess 121, at least in an unloaded state. Fabric member 140 maylikewise be attached to casing 120, cap 110, and/or resilient member 130via rivets, stitching, adhesive, or the like. Fabric member 140 maypreferably further provide cushioning via inclusion of batting or thelike therewithin. Furthermore, fabric member 140 preferably includes twoor more straps 145, or the like, operable to secure pad 100 inengagement with at least a portion of a user's body, such as the user'sknee. For example, if pad 100 is disposed such that longitudinal axis Ais disposed generally parallel to a user's leg, straps 145 maypreferably encircle the user's leg to retain pad 100 thereagainst. Aswill be understood by those skilled in the art, straps 145 may includeelastic material, hook-and-loop fasteners, and/or other conventionalfeatures. Particularly, straps 145 are preferably adapted to reducebinding when a user bends a leg or arm to which pad 100 is attached. Pad100, including fabric member 140 may preferably be water-resistantand/or machine or hand washable to enable convenient removal of dirt,sweat, or the like. Furthermore, pad 100 may include treatments and/ormaterials operable to repel or resist growth of mold or the like,stains, corrosion, melting, fire, or other common sources ofcontamination, damage, or wear.

Resilient member 130 preferably includes an array of mounds 133 disposedover face 131 a of planar member 131, including two rows of two or moremounds 133. As illustrated, resilient member 130 includes 8 or 10 mounds133 arranged in two parallel rows disposed on opposite sides of centrallongitudinal axis 135. Thus, mounds 133 preferably define a plurality ofchannels 137 therebetween, including a central channel extendinggenerally along central axis 135. Each mound 133 preferably includes agenerally cylindrical base portion 133 a and generally convex upperportion 133 b. Preferably, convex upper portion 133 b is formed as aportion of a sphere or a portion of an ellipsoid, although any suitablegenerally convex surface may be employed. Generally cylindrical baseportion 133 a preferably resists lateral forces, i.e. forces appliedparallel to the plane of member 131, while the gel material of eachmound 133 may compress in a direction generally perpendicular to theplane of member 131 in response to a force applied to the mound 133.Additionally, or alternatively, such resistance of lateral forces may beaccomplished and/or enhanced by inclusion of fibers within resilientmember 130, or the like, whereby resilient in lateral directions may beincreased compared to the resilience in the compression direction(perpendicular to the plane of member 131). Resilient member 130 ispreferably formed via a molding process whereby planar member 131 andmounds 133 may be integrally formed as a monolithic body.

In an exemplary method of use, pad 100 may be engaged with a portion ofa user's body, such as the user's knee, for use in protecting the userfrom injury or the like. Pad 100 may be engaged with the user's body viawrapping one or more strap 145 around the user's body and engaging thestrap(s) with one another and/or with the pad 100, or the like. Cap 110may be disposed against a floor or other surface and the user may restthe knee against fabric member 140. Fabric member 140 may cushion aportion of the force and may provide the user with a familiar feel ofconventional knee pads. Alternatively, however, fabric 140 may not besuspended over recess 121, whereby fabric member 140 may optionally notsubstantially contact the user's body; thereby, avoiding heat buildupdue to thermal insulation provided by fabric member 140. In either case,however, at least a portion of the force is transmitted to at least one,and preferably a plurality of mounds 133. Specifically, a user's knee ispreferably centrally disposed between an array of four mounds, whereby auser's knee may be cushioned by each of the four mounds and whereby theuser's knee is disposed proximate a plurality of channels 137. Thus, theuser's knee, or other body part, may be cooled via air or other fluidflow through the channel(s). Furthermore, when the user's knee or otherbody part is so disposed between a plurality of mounds, the moundspreferably securely retain the user's knee therebetween, even whenlateral forces are applied, by resisting such lateral forces tosubstantially prevent relative lateral motion between cap 100 and theuser's knee or other body part. Thus, the user's knee may be cradledwithin pad 100 to provide a stable base for supporting the user withoutcompletely covering the user's skin.

Additionally, as the user applies a force, such as the user's weight, tothe pad, an amount of compression per unit of force preferably decreaseswith increasing total compression. That is to say, each of mounds 133preferably compresses a relatively larger distance for a firstincremental value of force applied, and preferably compresses arelatively smaller distance for additional incremental increase of thevalue of force applied. Preferably, pad 100 is formed such thatapplication of a force equal to a maximum load of pad 100 does notresult in complete compression of any of mounds 133, whereby channels137 defined between mounds 133 are not eliminated. Thus, users ofdifferent weights may preferably comfortably use pad 100 having mounds133 due to the ability of the pad to adequately cushion both relativelylarge and relatively small forces without exhibiting relatively littlecompression for smaller forces and relatively great compression forlarger forces.

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, itshould be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosuresare exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, andmodifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the presentinvention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to thespecific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by thefollowing claims.

1. A protective pad comprising: a cap defining opposing surfaces, afirst of said surfaces adapted to contact a support surface; a casingattached to a second or interior of said surfaces; a fabric memberattached to the cap; and a resilient member disposed within the caphaving at least one mound formed thereon, wherein said resilient memberis adapted to partially deform in response to a force applied thereto.2. The protective pad of claim 1 wherein the resilient member isintegrally molded with the cap.
 3. The protective pad of claim 1 whereinthe resilient member is removably attached to the cap.
 4. The protectivepad of claim 3 wherein the resilient member further comprises a thinplanar member.
 5. The protective pad of claim 4 wherein the thin planarmember defines a first surface and a second surface wherein at least onemound having a hemispherical profile is formed on the first surface. 6.The protective pad of claim 5 wherein the first surface incorporates twocolumns of mounds wherein each column in separated by a space.
 7. Theprotective pad of claim 5 wherein the mound provides increasingresistance in response to increasing load applied to the mound.
 8. Theprotective pad of claim 6 wherein the space defines a fluid channelwherein fluid circulates through the channel.
 9. The protective pad ofclaim 6 wherein the mounds are integrally molded into the first surface.10. The protective pad of claim 1 wherein the first surface comprises aslip resistant, non-marring, and scratch-resistant material.
 11. Theprotective pad of claim 1 wherein the first surface comprises a treadpattern formed on a first surface of the cap.
 12. The protective pad ofclaim 1 wherein the fabric member further comprises one or more strapsadapted to removably attach the fabric member to the wearer.
 13. Theprotective pad of claim 1 wherein the straps include fastening membersand wherein said fastening members comprise elastic material, orhook-and-loop fasteners.
 14. The protective pad of claim 1 wherein thefabric member is removably attached to the protective pad.
 15. Theprotective pad of claim 13 wherein the fabric member is washable.